Spain returns to the top 3 of Junior Eurovision for the ninth time that the country participates in the contest. Exciting, energetic, close and fun. This has been the performance of Sandra Valero. The Loviu party has conquered the public at the Palais Nikaïa in Nice. Sandra and the dancers, Marcos, Elia, Juan Diego and Evelyn, have received a warm ovation from the public, among whom were her family and friends, who have traveled to the French city to support them.
The representative of Spain in the European children’s song contest has finished in second position with a total of 201 votes: 115 from the professional juries (the third most voted country) and 86 from the audience (the second most voted country).
Spain has achieved the highest score from Estonia, Georgia, France and Italy. In fact, it has been the country with the most maximum scores along with France. It also breaks records with another fact: it is the only country that has managed to get on the podium by performing in first position. Spain’s last top 3 in Junior Eurovision was in 2020 with Soleá and Palante. In addition, it is Spain’s best position since 2005, when Antonio José came in second position.
“If I had to describe my performance and how I felt in one word, it would be ‘spectacular’,” commented the artist when meeting with the entire RTVE team after the gala. She concluded by saying that she does not want Junior Eurovision to end.
The victory was achieved by France, with Zoé Clauzure, who received the maximum score from the juries of four countries and a total of 228 points. It is France’s second consecutive victory and her third in four years thanks to her Coeur theme. The podium was completed by Spain, in second position, with Sandra Valero’s Loviu and Armenia’s Do it my way in third place. The Spanish jury was made up of Blanca Paloma, Alfred García, Carlos Higes and Martina Venecia (finalist in the RTVE casting for Junior Eurovision 2023).
Sandra Valero has demonstrated confidence, charisma and enormous professionalism at 12 years old.
He has given a perfect performance both vocally and in acting. Spain has received the vote of 13 of the 16 juries: Malta, Ukraine, United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Estonia, Armenia, Poland, Georgia, France, Albania, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. The performance of ‘Loviu’ has been the most voted by four professional juries: Estonia, Georgia, France and Italy. On the part of the spectators, the Valencian has been the second most voted. At the end of the performance, the artist exclaimed excitedly: “Thank you Europe, I love you Spain.”
Spain’s proposal has shone even more thanks to the work of the dance team. Marcos, Elia, Juan Diego and Evelyn finished the performance euphoric: “It was very exciting. A dream. We are very grateful to be here,” they commented. They are dancers with experience on big stages but Junior Eurovision has been special for them: “Singing as soon as the flag parade finished has made us come out super motivated. In addition, performing with the entire audience in front of us has given us more energy than ever,” they have counted the Spaniards”.
Since the choice of Loviu as the song to represent Spain in the 21st edition of Junior Eurovision in Nice, the concept and message of the Spanish proposal has been very defined: lyrics, video clip, photographs, costumes, set design, choreography… Sandra is a traveling superhero who dreams of seeing the world, other cultures and other languages from her room. A dream to which she joins her friends to end with a great party in Nice honoring the Eurovision motto “United by music”, all together united by music.
The large structure of suitcases has been one of the protagonists of the staging of ‘Loviu’. Simulating the wings of an airplane, the production is accompanied by aerial shots to give the sensation of flight. An idea complemented by the visuals that throughout the performance show emblematic monuments from different European cities and around the world. In the end, as the song says, the word “I love you” has been shown in the languages of the 16 participating countries. Some colorful fireworks closed a performance that was round.
The costumes of the five artists have also taken the viewer to travel and explore. Sandra Valero’s look has been inspired by Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The dancers in aviation mechanic jumpsuits have completed Sandra’s team. A wardrobe that has reached a high level of detail, with passport stamps printed on the suits and even the boot laces of the same color as the shirts and suitcases that each of them has carried.
The good feelings that the Spanish delegation had during the entire week of rehearsals were fulfilled this afternoon with the victory of Sandra Valero. Ana María Bordas, head of the Spanish delegation at Eurovision, has been very proud of the work done by both RTVE and the Spanish artists: “We are very satisfied with our performance at a global level. Sandra has sung very well and The staging was designed to enhance a very catchy song that promotes friendship and unity between young people from all countries. The dancers have worked hard and have accompanied Sandra brilliantly. Overall, a performance very appropriate to the spirit of Junior Eurovision”.
María Eizaguirre, director of Communication and Participation of RTVE, has highlighted the effort of the public channel and has applauded the good work of the Spanish artists: “From Nice to heaven. The five represent Junior Eurovision perfectly. They have given their all. and they have made our country vibrate and our hearts race like never before. Their voices, the staging, the choreography, the styling and the communication… all rowing in the same direction, united by the music. For this “It is an honor to go hand in hand with these artists who have proven to be very great. Malmö awaits us… and they know it.”
Javier Pageo, artistic director of the Loviu staging, has been very moved by the energy transmitted by the five artists from Spain: “The most important thing for the team was to see them enjoy the performance and it has been a growing increase in confidence and joy until everyone’s big final hug”.
According to Albert Cornelles, choreographer from Spain: “I have seen them enjoy themselves more than ever. I have experienced it from the audience and from there everyone sang the song. They have made everyone dance. They have given us what we were asking for all week : big smiles and brutal energy.” For Verónica Ferreiro, Sandra’s vocal coach, “her energy has been growing. Vocally, especially in the softer parts and in front of so many people, which is something that cannot be rehearsed, it is difficult to stay calm. She has done it “.
One of the most emotional and special moments of the Junior Eurovision 2023 grand final took place during the intermission. The 16 Junior Eurovision 2023 contestants have performed together We Are The World, the song considered the first great anthem of peace and solidarity in history. They all went on stage dressed completely in white and with a t-shirt that highlighted the word ‘PEACE’.
The participants of the XXI edition of the contest have not been alone on stage. During the performance they were accompanied by Angélina, Valentina, Enzo and Lissandro, four of the last five representatives of France in Junior Eurovision and the last winner of the children’s contest; and by the French singer Florence François. The dancers from the different delegations did not take the stage to sing this anthem written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, but they did do so from the Green Room.